Jan. 17, 2013
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President Obama with David Cameron in 2012 / Carolyn Kaster, AP

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

by David Jackson, USA TODAY

President Obama spoke by phone Thursday with British Prime Minister David Cameron about the hostage situation in Algeria.

Obama also dropped in on a White House meeting with the president of Somalia, which is being recognized by the United States for the first time since 1991.

The White House readout of the Cameron phone call:

"President Obama and Prime Minister Cameron spoke today as part of their regular consultations on global issues, including the ongoing hostage situation in Algeria. The leaders expressed support for the international community's efforts, led by France, to deny terrorists a safe haven in Mali

"The Prime Minister set forth his thinking on UK-EU relations in light of his upcoming speech. The President underscored our close alliance with the United Kingdom and said that the United States values a strong UK in a strong European Union, which makes critical contributions to peace, prosperity, and security in Europe and around the world."

And the readout of the Somalia meeting:

"This morning, President Obama joined a meeting between Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in the Roosevelt Room.

"Following the meeting, the Somali President met with Secretary of State Clinton, who announced formal U.S. recognition of his government as the Government of Somalia. This is the first time the United States has recognized a Somali government since 1991.

"The President congratulated Hassan Sheikh on his election last September and the establishment of the first permanent, representative government in Somalia in two decades.

"The President noted the impressive security and political gains over the past year in Somalia. He acknowledged the many challenges facing Somalia but expressed optimism about Somalia's future, and reaffirmed his commitment to work in partnership with the new Somali government to promote peace and security, improve fiscal management, and increase the provision of social services.

"The President urged President Hassan Sheikh to seize this unique opportunity to turn the page on two decades of civil strife in Somalia by building on the recent progress and working closely with regional and international partners to improve the lives of all Somalis. A photo of the meeting can be found here."